01/07/2025
Former US President Abraham Lincoln wrote a letter to his son's school principal which later gained historical status. The letter has been read by many. Yet today, I read it again without any difficulty, if I can understand anything new-
Honorable Sir,
I have sent my son to you for education. You will make him an ideal man-this is my expectation from you.
You must teach my son-not all people are just, not all people are truthful.
You will also teach him-that there can be a hero in every scoundrel, that there is a selfless leader in every selfish politician.
You will teach him-that an earned dollar is more valuable than five dollars.
You will also teach him-how to accept defeat and how to enjoy the joy of victory.
You will also teach him to stay away from violence. If you can, teach him the secret beauty of a silent smile.
Let him learn to understand this early on - those who oppress can be easily overcome. Teach him what secrets are hidden in books.
Teach my son that it is much more honorable to fail in school than to pass by cheating.
Let him have great confidence in himself - even if everyone thinks it is wrong.
Teach him to be polite to gentlemen, to be strict with the strict.
Let my son gain this strength - not to follow in the footsteps of the drunken crowd.
Teach him to listen to everyone and filter through the veil of truth and accept only the good - teach him this.
Let him learn how to laugh in the midst of sorrow. And teach him that there is no shame in crying - teach him that.
Let him learn to hate those who are cruel, ruthless and beware of excessive comforts.
Be kind to my son but do not indulge him,
For steel is refined in fire.
May my son not have the courage to be impatient,
May he have the patience to be brave. Teach him this also - that he may have great confidence in himself and only then will he have great confidence in mankind.
Yours faithfully;
Abraham Lincoln
